Restless Leg Syndrome

Summary

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder wherein the person does not feel comfortable with their legs at rest. In some the same urge can be associated with the arms or feet. It usually occurs when the person is sitting for long periods of time or lying down and is temporarily relieved if they get up and move about. For some involuntary leg movement will occur as they sleep. For others the discomfort can be so intense that they are unable to sleep and must get up and move about. This leads to insomnia with the associated fatigue and lack of energy during the day. Because it can happen during prolonged sitting it may be difficult to travel by air or car.

The cause of this disorder has not been identified. It may occur at any age but the probability and frequency increase with age. Women are more prone to the disorder than men. Frequency also increases with increased stress or emotional discomfort.

[search helps: periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), Willis-Ekbom disease]

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends: AromaTouch, Deep Blue, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, Roman chamomile, Serenity

Essential oils based products:

Also consider:

Suggested protocols:

2 - 4 drops of AromaTouch blend massaged into the area when an episode is beginning. Use a carrier to facilitate the massage.

Some have also had positive results with Deep Blue, marjoram, Roman chamomile and/or Serenity with the same massage application.

Experiences and Testimonials of others

Judy - I have a friend who has restless leg syndrome. She is taking the Life Long Vitality supplements, and putting Serenity, peppermint and lavender on her legs. Has anyone had success with this problem and what are they using. Apparently what she is using isn't helping completely as she is taking a muscle relaxant prescription. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Maree - AromaTouch did it for me... cured my restless legs and took me off of 2 ibuprofen 800s nightly. My mom loves wintergreen and Deep Blue for her's. Try a few different oils and see what works for you, we are all so different.

Deborah - I too use AromaTouch and it does an incredible job when I am having an episode of RLS. I just rub it on my legs and within moments, it stops. It is awesome! I fly a lot and tend to have episodes of RLS during a flight once in a while, just a quick application does the trick.

Kelli - I just started getting RLS. The first night it happened was the worst experience! I was up walking around at 3 am crying! It was miserable. I have been rubbing AromaTouch and Serenity on my legs every night since then and I haven't had another miserable night! I use about a tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil with 4 drops AromaTouch and rub that in real good on both legs. Then I do the same thing with the Serenity. I can literally feel my legs calm down and relax within a couple minutes.

Joyce – Last year my daughter was pregnant with restless leg syndrome and used marjoram, Roman chamomile, and Serenity successfully.

Mardi - AromaTouch and/or frankincense worked for my husband's RLS. He said that the frankincense brought the frequency of RLS to a minimum. Meaning that after taking frankincense under his tongue, which he does several times a week, it has reduced his RLS to 1 - 2 occurrences a week instead of 4 - 5 times a week.

Larissa - Restless leg syndrome is often the result a nutritional deficiency! Magnesium supplements will do the trick. It would also be a good idea to take calcium and potassium as well.

Sipper - I also have had some bouts of RLS, I seem to have more episodes depending on the amount of caffeine I have had ( just and observation) I have used Serenity around my ankle and up the side of my leg where I feel the tingle, It feels better in minutes.

Dee - I have taken the Life Long Vitality supplements for at least two years faithfully, and my RLS comes and goes with no seeming pattern. I have used Serenity and AromaTouch when the RLS comes up and that helps immensely, and haven't had to take a muscle relaxant for it for quite some time now. Gotta love our oils!!!

Lynda – I just had a friend ask me this morning which oil(s) would work well for Restless Leg Syndrome?

Rob - I think you will find DeepBlue, AromaTouch, and marjoram have been suggested. Use an aggressive leg massage with any of these.

Deborah - I have ordered AromaTouch specifically for this problem since I suffer from it myself. Yes, Deep Blue does help, but I am looking forward to trying the new AromaTouch blend. I don't have too many episodes of RLS, but when I do it is usually when I am in flight, especially on long flights. I will definitely submit an update once I receive my AromaTouch amd I let everyone know of my findings.

Deborah – I would like to give an update on my experience with AromaTouch for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)...it worked just as great as I anticipated. I take it with my on my flights and when I have an episode of RLS begin, I rub a couple of drops into my lower legs (out of respect for my fellow traveler, otherwise on the bottoms of my feet) and shortly afterwards I get immediate relief. I love this blend!

Rob – That is a great story. AromaTouch is quickly becoming one of my favorite oils. I've used it successfully for muscle aches, limbs falling asleep, including neuropathy, tingling limbs, nerve damage, etc. What an amazing blend.

Jenyce - Any suggestions for RLS?

ReNay - My husband has RLS so at night once he is in bed I rub his legs with AromaTouch on FCO it has made a big difference in how well he sleeps. The other night we were late getting to bed so no rub down, he had a restless night and the next morning all he could do is complain (more so than usual) So that just proved to me if I want to have a good tomorrow, rub him down good the night before..

Loryjean - I don't have RLS, per se, but I do have constant spasms in my calves. I use deep blue and marjoram on the soles of my feet, then Serenity to sleep, and it works really well. Taking the LLV helps, too.

Jenny - I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me on what I can recommend for severe foot and leg pain in a 60 yr old man with type 2 diabetes. The doctor has told him that the leg pain is from restless leg syndrome but he only gets limited relief from the medication he was put on. I truly believe that his pain is caused by the diabetes. This is someone who is very special to me and all in my family and we truly need all the help we can get to get him back to feeling better. We have him using the Deep Blue for pain and grapefruit for circulation, (to be used both topically and internally) And are trying to get him on the Life Long Vitality supplements..

Rob - You are smart to try to get him on the Life Long Vitality supplements. That might help him more than anything. The Aroma Touch blend has been a blend that people have found successful for RLS. I like your blend of Deep Blue and grapefruit, It shows some logic and understanding of what the oils do!! Other oils that may help would be cypress and marjoram. Also, don't just apply the oils and send him to bed. I'm sure you know that massage is very healthy for diabetes. It invigorates the extremities, gets the blood circulating and can block pain receptors. So apply the oils with a good carrier and a good massage to the legs and feet.

BK - I have found that different people have differing success when dealing with restless leg. I don't have it serious, in fact its never been diagnosed, but I have the written symptoms at night. Just by accident one night I used Balance and orange because they were near my bedside, and there are no accidents, right? It gave me great relief. I have a friend who swears by basil, and VCO. And I have heard of AromaTouch as being helpful.

John - For the diabetes, try cypress on the neck and cinnamon on the abdomen twice daily. Eat like you wan to live and get on the Life Long Vitality supplements.

Dana - I have also used the Balance at night to help me sleep. There is a very calming scent about it. It with the Deep Blue seems to really help me. However I do not have diabetes.

Pat - Getting your friend on the Life Long Vitality supplements would be essential with his problems, also Aroma Touch is what he needs to use on his legs. It has a great blend of oils and many people have used it for Restless Leg Syndrome and circulation problems.

Christine – If it is RLS that is usually a magnesium deficiency.

Pat – The Life Long Vitality supplements have 100mg of magnesium in the VM blend..